Maverick County Commissioners Court approve Feasibility Study for International Bridge

By: Jose G. Landa. Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit for an International Bridge at their special meeting held on Monday, December 29, 2014, at the Maverick County Courthouse, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo read the agenda item and opened up the item for discussion.

County Commissioner of Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz, who placed the item on the agenda, stated that due to the oil and gas industry growth that Mexico is on the verge of experiencing he believes that it is important for Maverick County to begin looking into the international trade needs of this impending Mexican energy boom in northern Mexico, including the State of Coahuila, and to be prepared to take advantage of this economic development opportunity.

“The State of Coahuila has two international ports that are very necessary for Coahuila, one being Acuna , and the other is Piedras Negras. It is contingent that Piedras Negras, of course, and Eagle Pass will see a lot of movement, more than what we have seen in the last 10 years. That will necessitate an addition for equipment and personnel. That is another reason as the feasibility study will benefit Maverick County financially. As we know, the municipality of Eagle Pass is much reliable on both bridges because of the income it generates. So, if we were able to do anything as far as another bridge is concerned , of course, we know it’s going to take many years for an actual bridge to be done,” said Commissioner Ruiz.   Ruiz noted that the most important thing to do was to create a feasibility study.

“It’s a business study. It’s a feasibility study to see if it’s possible. And the most important thing is that we need to converse with our neighbors across the river to see if they also want it and where is it more feasible, either on the northern or southern part of the county. Whatever we can come up with in an agreement. That is a process that needs to be explored and then after the feasibility study, it needs to be asked for in a presidential permit.” said Commissioner Ruiz.

Commissioner Ruiz stated that he had personally spoken with Republican Congressman-Elect, Will Hurd, recently on issues pertaining to Maverick County. “He has been in Eagle Pass twice already and the man hasn’t even sat down in Congress, yet he is interested. I know and understand that it’s part of politics that the Republican Party wants to make in-roads into South Texas. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If anybody wants to help Maverick County, well, I think we are more than willing to do that. His office would be more than willing to help us with obtaining the presidential permit once it gets to him. He was telling us that he has contacts in the State Department. Being part of the politics of the matter is that he is part of the party that controls Washington D.C. and I think that should be very beneficial. Like I said, we are trying to look at this as an investment for Maverick County that in the future we can have more funds,” said Commissioner Ruiz.

County Judge David R. Saucedo asked Commissioner Ruiz if it would cost Maverick County at this point to move forward with a Feasibility Study.   Ruiz stated that at present time there was no cost to the County. “If there is any cost, it would have to be approved by Commissioners Court,” said Ruiz.

“So, you just want to go out there to see if there is any interest?” queried Judge Saucedo.

“Well, the interest I think is there,” answered Ruiz.

“My proposal is for Commissioners Court to approve the idea so we can continue with this exploration process,” said Commissioner Ruiz.

Judge Saucedo called the motion for a vote and it was unanimously approved. County Commissioner Jose Luis Rosales was absent at this meeting.

Maverick County does not own any international bridges like the City of Eagle Pass, which owns two bridges and depends up to 30% of its annual budget on the revenues from the City-owned International Bridges System.

Maverick County is seeking to build a third international bridge within the county to own a revenue generating entity to assist it fund the many needed county public services and provide the fast and efficient transportation of international commercial and personal traffic between the United States and Mexico.

Earlier this year, County Judge David R. Saucedo raised this issue with a Mexican news media, raising much debate and discussion in Mexico to this suggestion. Some Mexican officials expressed interest in the building of a third international bridge while others suggested maximizing the two City of Eagle Pass International Bridges before building a third one.

Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 is only opened part-time as it is closed every day from 11 P.M. to 7 A.M. The Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 has yet to open the two commercial traffic lanes originally planned when built. There is currently a shortage of manpower with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Agency concerning the hiring of more CBP Inspectors throughout the U.S.-Mexico border.

Nonetheless, Maverick County Commissioners Court is inclined to approve a Feasibility Study/Presidential Permit because the process to get an international bridge permit approved by both the U.S. and Mexican Presidents is lengthy, often taking more than 10 to 20 years.